No longer WTD - 1979 Strat

PVO_Dave

After a year of birth guitar. Yes, I know 70's Fenders don't have the best rep, but I'm sure there's one out there for me

Hard tail is the preference, fine with either r/w or maple neck (as long as the lacquer on the neck isn't knackered.

As original as possible, with life left in the frets.

Let me know what you've got  

Treewig1

I have two 79s (a trem maple neck I bought new in 1980 and a rosewood 3T hardtail).  I really rate them both and they each sound terrific (and you can hear an acoustic difference between the trem and hardtail).

Actually, my trem has two 79s and an 80 pickup so I think it is an early 80.  I still have every piece of case contents with it.

The hardtail is all 79: pots, pickups everything.  A lovely guitar with a good neck fit and very tidy. Sounds better plugged in too, than the trem.

PVO_Dave

Is the ‘79 for sale then @Treewig1 or is this a nod to the fact good ones exist?  

Treewig1

It’s a bit of both @PVO_Dave .  The trem I would never sell (I’ve had it 40 years) but the hard tail might be.  It is a better guitar.  Let me ponder...

PVO_Dave

Treewig1 said:

It’s a bit of both @PVO_Dave .  The trem I would never sell (I’ve had it 40 years) but the hard tail might be.  It is a better guitar.  Let me ponder...

Tempt me with a picture please @Treewig1  

Treewig1

Leave it with me.  In the next hour...

Treewig1

https://i.imgur.com/8NK4jd7.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0W4rWG6.jpg

These are links @PVO_Dave .  Usally I can embed images.  Tonight I cannot.

PVO_Dave

Treewig1 said:

https://i.imgur.com/8NK4jd7.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0W4rWG6.jpg

These are links @PVO_Dave .  Usally I can embed images.  Tonight I cannot.

They are working for me @Treewig1 !

Lovely looking thing, have a think and let me know

Treewig1

Cheers @PVO_Dave .  Will do.  

sawyer

Looks nice!

fendergibson

I’ve a ‘77 which isn’t for sale. There are some good seventies Strats around just make sure you try them first and budget for a refret also. 
Dont buy a boat anchor 

tone1

There’s one on eBay currently 

PVO_Dave

Thanks for the advice / words of encouragement chaps.

I've got an alert setup on eBay, the only ones I wouldn't mind trying out (to avoid buying a dead boat anchor) are way too far away, don't mind a bit of a road trip, but Mid-Beds to Glasgow seems a bit much  

Nice one in High Wycombe listed on Reverb, sent the guy a message, but nothing back yet.

JamieWakeham

As further evidence that 70s Fenders are variable, rather than uniformly rubbish, my '78 (also not for sale) is absolutely brilliant.  One of the most variable things seems to be the pickups; I've been told that they were quite unconcerned at the time about how much wire they wound on and just kept going until they felt the pickup looked 'about right', so some are quite a bit hotter than others.

It is a boat anchor though... 10lbs 8oz!

lovestrat74

One on the bay..
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/123659402137

PVO_Dave

lovestrat74 said:

One on the bay..
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/123659402137

Says it’s a 78? 

richardhomer

Also worth pointing out that S9 serial numbers were used way beyond 1979 (I had one which was definitely made in 1980), so don’t rely solely on the S/N as an indicator of age.

PVO_Dave

richardhomer said:

Also worth pointing out that S9 serial numbers were used way beyond 1979 (I had one which was definitely made in 1980), so don’t rely solely on the S/N as an indicator of age.

Will the end of the neck be dated (stamped) @richardhomer ?

richardhomer

PVO_Dave said:

richardhomer said:

Also worth pointing out that S9 serial numbers were used way beyond 1979 (I had one which was definitely made in 1980), so don’t rely solely on the S/N as an indicator of age.

Will the end of the neck be dated (stamped) @richardhomer ?

Can’t actually remember - but I know I established mine was definitely 1980 - it may well have been a neck stamp. Bizarrely, I can remember the full number - S941054. I worry about how my mind works sometimes....

lovestrat74

PVO_Dave said:

lovestrat74 said:

One on the bay..
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/123659402137

Says it’s a 78? 

Serial no is S9 

PVO_Dave

Thanks both, I’ll drop them a message, see how they know, lovely looking guitar!